Recipe modification questions

[sraun]

I've got a baked rice pudding recipe that calls for 2 cups cooked rice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 eggs, 1 1/3 cups milk, some salt and some flavorings.

First question - is the sugar providing anything other than sweetening? Is it likely to work if I replace all or part of the brown sugar with Splenda or other bakeable artificial sweetener?

Second question - as I understand it, this is a custard variation. I realized last night that I've never heard of a savory custard (unless that's what a quiche is, and I've just never realized it). But it's basically milk & eggs - could I strip out all the sweet ingredients, and toss in some onions, garlic, whatever, and make a savory variant?

Comments

[guyfie.livejournal.com]

The custard will set up slightly thinner without the sugar.
You could compensate with a little less milk. Fake sugar, onions, garlic or other spices won't change things much.

[pgdudda.livejournal.com]

I don't know the answer to your question. I can say that if the recipie is specifying brown sugar, they are probably also wanting some of the molasses flavor found in brown sugar.

Whether that's useful info or not, IDK...

[sraun]

There's a white sugar substitution already listed in the recipe. So, yes, they're probably intending the molasses flavor, but it isn't essential.

[daedala.livejournal.com]

I've made custards with splenda that came out ok. A bit of blackstrap molasses will add brown sugar flavor to the splenda without much in the way of sugar (blackstrap is strong stuff).

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

I think the sugar is doing a variety of things (including caramelising, as someone else has said) and this will be a bit foul without it. However, if you want a savoury version you are looking at baked risotto -- Delia Smith has some recipes such as this one

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/oven-baked-smoked-pancetta-and-leek-risotto,1080,RC.html

[ailsaek.livejournal.com]

Yes, quiche is savory custard. Compare & contrast your rice pudding recipe with a quiche recipe - you might want to add an extra egg for thickening insurance, or maybe just add some shredded cheese.

[dr-a-nightfall.livejournal.com]

There's an Afrikaaner dish that is basically a custard over a minced meat with sauce. If I can find the name and a recipe, I'll let you know.